ISRO to carry out complex space docking experiment next year

Despite facing heartbreaking setbacks from the last-minute failure in soft-landing (far side of lunar surface) of the Vikram lander of the Chandrayaan-2 mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to perform India’s first-ever space docking experiment (SPADEX) next year, as reported by Hindu Businessline.

The complex experiment would involve two separate satellites linking with each other in the space physically. The two satellites will be launched to space on board an indigenously made PSLV rocket.

K Sivan, ISRO Chief (Credits: The Wire)

The successful execution of the SPADEX will make way for India’s successful plans to have its own space station similar to the International Space Station (ISS) revolving the planet Earth. After that, the space station would then serve as a laboratory in the space.

ISRO chief Dr K Sivan added that India’s premier space research body is working hard to take up the space station project after the completion of the prestigious Gaganyaan project, under which 3 Indian astronauts will be sent to space, for which the work has already started.

The project is to be carried out before 2022-23 end when would be celebrating its 75th year of independence. According to Dr Sivan, the Gaganyaan project is expected to happen in December 2021.